The speaker explains the concept of “soft abandonment,” subtle behaviors that create abandonment anxiety—such as emotional withdrawal, constant criticism, indifference, neglect, and frequent absences—even while partners remain physically together. Soft abandonment can arise from major differences between partners (age, values, beliefs) and from ongoing rejection, humiliation, or leading parallel lives, and often produces deeper, longer-lasting harm than clear-cut breakups. The talk warns that these covert forms of abandonment can render relationships toxic, provoke severe emotional or pathological reactions, and should be recognized as genuine causes of separation insecurity. Soft Abandonment and Its Anxiety